Dr Glenys Jones

Honorary Lecturer in Autism

School of Education

Contact details

School of EducationUniversity of BirminghamEdgbaston, BirminghamB15 2TT, United Kingdom

About

Dr Glenys Jones is a Chartered Psychologist, honorary lecturer and researcher in the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) at the School of Education, University of Birmingham. She has worked in the field of autism for over 30 years and is particularly interested in educational interventions and evaluation. Her experience with parents and families as an Educational Psychologist and researcher, has highlighted the central importance of the views of the child and the family, when designing and delivering effective interventions. Her past research includes reviews of educational provision for children with autism within England, Wales and Scotland; a literature review on the research evidence on educational interventions, and research on early interventions for children with autism. In 2006, she led a review of the needs and support for children and young people with Asperger syndrome aged 10 to 19 years.

Glenys has acted as Consultant to several national and regional bodies to develop policy and practice regarding the autism spectrum including the Department for Education and Skills (to produce the Good Practice Guidance in ASD (DfES, 2002); the British Psychological Society; the National Foundation for Educational Research, the West Midlands SEN Regional Partnership and Autism West Midlands. Her publications include Educational provision for children with autism and Asperger syndrome, (David Fulton, 2002); and Educational interventions for children with autism: a literature review of recent and current research, DfEE , 1998). Glenys also took the lead role with the West Midlands SEN Regional Partnership in creating a Training Framework in the autism spectrum which provides details of knowledge and skills which might be included in training at different levels from awareness raising to advanced courses. She is also Editor of the Good Autism Practice Journal published by BILD ( British Institute of Learning Disabilities) which publishes papers on good practice in autism written by professionals, parents and those on the autism spectrum. In November 2010, the GAP Journal celebrated its first 10 years with the publication of a GAP reader and a conference.

In 2008, Glenys led a review for the newly convened Autism Education Trust (www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk) on educational provision for children and young people on the autism spectrum living in England. She also led the team commissioned by the Department of Children, Schools and Families to develop a web-based resource and DVD on the autism spectrum for all mainstream primary and secondary schools in England. These were launched by National Strategies in 2009. In addition, she was part of the team that developed a similar resource for all early years settings.

Qualifications

PhD

MEd

MA

B.Ed (Hons)

Practising Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society)

Teaching

Glenys is Programme of Studies Coordinator for Autism Children Distance Education Programme which leads to awards from AdCert and BPhil at Level H to Masters level for those working or living with children and young people on the autism spectrum. Students on these courses are qualified teachers, speech and language therapists, psychologists, social workers and parents of those with autism, who have appropriate qualifications. Approximately 130 students study each year for these awards and 30 regional tutors support this work.

Research

Team member in a review of the literature of evidence of best practice provision in the education of persons with autism spectrum disorders commissioned by the National Council for Special Education, Ireland.

Development of a web-based and DVD resource on the autism spectrum for all mainstream primary and secondary schools and all early years settings commissioned by the National Strategies.

A review of educational provision for children and young people on the autism spectrum living in England commissioned by the Autism Education Trust (www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk).

Review of the needs and services to children and young people with Asperger syndrome - commissioned by the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (www.niccy.org.uk).

Development of a web-based resource for primary health care practitioners on ASD commissioned by NHS Education for Scotland (www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/asd).

Literature review of the research evidence on educational interventions in ASD commissioned by the Department for Education and Employment

Other activities

Department for Education and Skills: Working Party member on ASD guidance

Editor of the Good Autism Practice Journal published by BILD

British Psychological Society Working Party member on ASD position paper

Steering Group member for the Autism Education Trust representing Higher Education